STEP 3: Prewriting—Organizing the Details
Using the list of details from Step 2, group the details into three, four, or maybe even
five divisions. By forcing yourself to put related ideas together into no more than five
steps (and preferably fewer), you can present an easy-to-follow process. Imagine the
frustration of trying to remember 15 steps for anything!
After the items are grouped logically, organize them chronologically. Rarely in pro-
cess analysis will any other form make sense. Be sure, of course, to include support-
ing details in your chronological plan. [See chronological order in the Glossary.]
STEP 4: Prewriting—Creating the Topic or Thesis
Sentence
Write your topic or thesis sentence. [See topic sentence and thesis sentence in
the Glossary. See also Writing a Paragraph and Writing a Multi-Paragraph Paper
in Chapter 2.]
As you write your topic or thesis sentence, give your reader a clue about the com-
plexity of your topic. Use the following examples as guides:
Onscreen instructions permit even first-time users to work successfully with
the library’s computer catalog.
Building a doghouse requires materials, common tools, and three general steps
in construction.
Making sure a diesel engine will start in cold weather requires certain precau-
tionary steps.After you have a good topic or thesis sentence, list the details that support your sen-
tence. If necessary, convert the list into an outline. [See For a Paper in Chapter 31,
Outlines.]
STEP 5: Writing—Getting the Process on Paper
With the prewriting steps completed, you should have little trouble with the actual
writing. Use the following guidelines to help:
-^ Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence.
-^ Begin a longer paper with an introductory paragraph and thesis sentence.
-^ Follow the chronological order you mapped out in Step 3.
-^ Use the outline or list from Step 4 to determine subtopics (for paragraphs) or
paragraphs (for full-length papers).
-^ Include transitions to help the reader follow your explanation. Common
transitions used in process papers include the following: next, then, once,
afterward, until, when, later, first, second, furthermore, now, simultaneously,
Process Analysis / 121